Bob Benton Elected Chamber President

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

With decades of experience running a business in Pacific Palisades, Bob Benton has been elected president of the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, effective Sept. 1.

“I am delighted to have Bob as our new president of the Chamber of Commerce,” Susan Payne, chair of the Board of Directors, said in a statement. “Bob’s knowledge of the business environment and his dedication to the Palisades will be a big asset as we refocus the Chamber’s purpose toward being in business for business.”

Benton, who owned and operated Benton’s Sports Shop on Swarthmore Avenue for 35 years, will take over as president at a crucial time—just 22 days before the opening of Caruso’s Palisades Village.

“We’re going to be more retail-oriented,” Benton told the Palisadian-Post, “because we have 40 to 50 new retailers coming to town.”

Benton said that the Chamber team is still formulating a strategy, but that they hope to be proactive in building membership.

“The big plan is incorporating the current Palisades with the new Palisades Village,” he explained. “I think it’s going to look great.”

In February, Benton revealed to the Post that though he has full-hearted support for the project, he would not be reopening his sports store when Palisades Village opens in the fall. He explained that it was a “very difficult decision.”

In addition to his business experience, Benton is also a fixture in the Pacific Palisades Baseball Association, where he has served as commissioner for over 30 years. He is also a longtime member of the Park Advisory Board.

Benton, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, has previously led the Board of Directors through two terms as chair (a position formerly known as “president”).

He and his wife, Sue Kohl, reside in the Alphabet Streets. Kohl serves as Area 5 representative for the Pacific Palisades Community Council.

“The Chamber of Commerce is heading in a new direction and I’m looking forward to actively promoting a successful business atmosphere here in the Palisades,” Benton said. “We have a lot to offer businesses and membership in our Chamber is a great way to promote and grow the economic well-being of the Pacific Palisades business community.”